NASA Student Competition: Name that asteroid!

[LongTomH]

Currently, the asteroid goes by the name 1999 RQ36, not exactly a catchy name. NASA wants to enlist student help to find another name.

Two things that make this even more interesting: 1999 RQ36 could conceivably present a future danger to Earth, and NASA is planning a sample return mission. From Space.com:

The asteroid, currently known as (101955) 1999 RQ36 could pose a threat to Earth when it swings close to our planet 170 years from now. Measuring 1,837 feet (560 meters) wide, asteroid 1999 RQ36 has a 1-in-1,000 chance of slamming into Earth in the year 2182, researchers have said.

NASA is planning an ambitious mission to return samples from the surface of 1999 RQ36. The expedition, called Osiris-Rex (short for Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer), is scheduled to launch in 2016. The Osiris-Rex mission is expected to cost $800 million, a figure that does not include the cost of a launch vehicle, agency officials have said.

1999 RQ36 is particularly interesting because it's carbonaceous, meaning it contains organic molecules, possibly even life-precursor molecules like amino acids. Since asteroids are more 'primitive' than planets (meaning they've changed very little since the beginnings of the solar system!) any asteroid material will be interesting to scientists studying the early history of the solar system.

NASA is hoping this competition will boost student interest in astronomy and space:

"Because the samples returned by the mission will be available for study for future generations, it is possible the person who names the asteroid will grow up to study the regolith we return to Earth," Jason Dworkin, Osiris-Rex project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., said in a statement.

The agency's competition is open to students worldwide, under the age of 18. Each participant may submit one name, which can be up to 16 characters in length. Students are required to also include a short explanation for their suggested name.

"Asteroids are just cool and 1999 RQ36 deserves a cool name!" Bill Nye, chief executive officer for The Planetary Society, said in a statement. "Engaging kids around the world in a naming contest will get them tuned in to asteroids and asteroid science."

Anyone on this board working with schools in science? Get them interested in this competiton.

The deadline for entries is December 2, 2012.